The building envelope separates the interior from the exterior and includes walls, roofs, foundations, windows, and doors. Its functions are structural support, humidity control, temperature regulation, and air pressure control. Tight envelopes provide better control over indoor air quality, energy consumption, and reduce the likelihood of mold. Loose envelopes allow for natural air transfer but can be drafty and uncomfortable, making it difficult to regulate temperature levels.
A building envelope includes all the components that make up the building envelope or skin. These components separate the building exterior from the interior and are designed by the architect or project engineers to meet the needs of each individual application. The building envelope can also be defined as the components that separate conditioned areas from unconditioned space. Outdoor or unheated living spaces are not included within the enclosure, while any living space that has heating or air conditioning would be included. The building envelope must be carefully designed with regards to the climate, ventilation and energy consumption within the structure.
There are four basic functions of the building envelope. These include adding structural support, controlling humidity and humidity, regulating temperature, and controlling changes in air pressure. By serving these different functions, the envelope also affects the ventilation and energy consumption within the building.
The envelope consists of all the external components of the building, including walls, roofs, foundations, windows and doors. Finishing materials such as upholstery and decorative items are usually not considered part of the envelope. Insulation, construction paper, and other components aimed at controlling humidity and airflow are usually included in the design of the building envelope.
Building envelopes are often characterized as “tight” or “loose”. A tight casing is precisely constructed to allow for relatively little air leakage. This often requires significant amounts of insulation, caulk, sealant and energy efficient windows to create a tight shell for the building. The loosely constructed enclosures allow air to flow more freely from outdoor to indoor spaces. A loose casing can be created by design or it can be the result of poor construction techniques.
Many experts debate the benefits of tight building envelopes over loose ones. A tight envelope allows for a high level of control over indoor air quality, energy consumption, temperature and humidity levels. It leads to fewer drafts and a more comfortable environment for the occupants, and often results in less wasteful heating and cooling costs. Well-designed enclosures also reduce the likelihood of mold or mildew caused by moisture infiltration, which can extend the life of building components. At the same time, narrower buildings also limit the amount of natural ventilation that can occur, resulting in more extensive mechanical ventilation requirements.
A loose-fitting building envelope allows for natural air transfer, which improves indoor air quality and often eliminates the need for mechanical ventilation. At the same time, these wider buildings tend to be more drafty and uncomfortable, and can make it difficult to regulate temperature levels. There’s a greater chance of moisture-related mold, and larger amounts of heated or cooled air can escape through leaks in the enclosure. This can increase your energy bills and negatively impact the environment by increasing levels of greenhouse gases.
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